As soon as the words fell, everyone except Hoddle, who was blind, cast envious glances at Rowe.
During the battle against the giant dragon, Rowe's relentless assault on Skadi using the Hand of Liquidation had nearly brought their side to collapse. Combined with the direct hit he endured from the dragon's blade, his contributions were undeniably the most significant, and it was clear there would be additional rewards for him.
The others soon said their goodbyes and departed, leaving only Hela and Rowe alone in the chamber.
"Come with me, Paladin," Hela said with a soft smile, gesturing toward a smaller door to the side.
Rowe was momentarily surprised but followed without hesitation.
He couldn't help but indulge in some hopeful speculation, but the outcome surprised him. Hela led him directly to Odin.
"Lord Odin," Rowe quickly saluted, his posture respectful.
Odin nodded kindly, stepping forward and placing a heavy hand on Rowe's shoulder. "Rowe Garrison, you have done well. The victory of this Hunting Festival owes much to your bravery and strength."
"You flatter me, my lord. I only did what I could," Rowe said modestly.
Odin chuckled. "In Asgard, we honor those who achieve greatness. You were the foremost warrior of this Hunting Festival, and you also saved Hela in Jotunheim. These are no small deeds—you have earned your reward."
A sense of excitement stirred within Rowe.
"Come forward," Odin said, his expression turning solemn.
Rowe obeyed, stepping closer to the All-Father.
Odin raised his hand above Rowe's head, a glow radiating from his palm and descending to envelop Rowe's entire body.
Rowe was stunned by the warmth and energy that flowed into him, a potent and unfamiliar force coursing through his being.
"I, Odin Borson, bestow upon you my blessing," the All-Father declared solemnly. "May the threads of fate favor you, brave child."
For a moment, Rowe stood frozen, then the weight of what had happened began to sink in.
Odin's blessing.
The divine energy of gods could be used to bestow blessings—akin to granting powerful, enduring enhancements. For a mortal to receive such a thing, especially from Odin himself, was of unimaginable value. Far beyond gold, weaponry, or glory, this was an honor that even Asgardian nobles could only dream of.
And yet, this blessing wasn't given lightly. Odin exhaled softly, a trace of fatigue showing after imparting the power.
"This is my Blessing of Destiny," Odin said. "It will give you a chance to survive in even the most hopeless situations… and a greater likelihood of awakening your divine power."
So it was a buff of fate—almost like receiving a boon from fortune itself.
Could this mean he was on the cusp of unlocking his divine potential and ascending to greatness? Rowe couldn't help the excitement welling up within him.
After a pause, Odin asked, "Rowe, I've heard you possess a peculiar magic—light-based, is it? Show me."
"Yes, my lord." Rowe hesitated briefly before allowing the Holy Light to manifest in his palm, its glow warm and resolute.
Odin studied it for a moment before nodding. "I can feel the righteousness and valor within this power. I believe you will become a hero worthy of legend."
He added, "Three days from now, we will hold a sacrificial ceremony for the fallen dragon. Be there."
With that, Rowe and Hela took their leave, walking side by side, occasionally exchanging casual words.
"By the way, Your Highness," Rowe said, "would you be interested in raising a wolf cub?"
"A cub?" Hela glanced at him curiously.
"I came across the offspring of that giant wolf a few days ago. It's unusually gifted. But with Shirut already under my care, I don't think I can manage another beast right now."
"If you're torn between raising it or not, it must be no ordinary wolf," Hela remarked, intrigued.
"Correct," Rowe nodded. "The cub is fierce, even at this age. It didn't make a sound at birth—calm, composed, as if born with the aura of a wolf king."
Hela considered it for a while before responding. "I've never raised a creature before… but bring it to me. I'll try."
"Great."
Just then, a noblewoman approached from a distance.
"Mother," Hela called out in greeting.
Rowe quickly bowed. "Lady Jord."
This was Jord, Odin's current wife and Hela's mother.
Jord smiled, gently brushing Hela's hair as they exchanged pleasantries. Then her gaze turned to Rowe. "Your father granted him a blessing?"
Hela nodded. "Rowe was invaluable during the Hunting Festival. Without him, things might've turned out very differently."
Jord offered Rowe a polite smile but said nothing further before turning to Hela. "Is Odin inside?"
"He is," Hela replied.
Jord walked into the chamber where Odin waited.
Truth be told, Rowe didn't get a great impression from the encounter. He sensed a subtle coldness from Jord, a quiet disapproval beneath her courtesy. Unlike Frigga, who radiated grace and warmth, Jord seemed far more distant—perhaps that explained why Odin's affections had wandered…
Inside the room, Jord wasted no time. "You gave that boy a blessing?"
"Yes. Why? He earned it," Odin said flatly, clearly irritated. The rift in their relationship had long since widened.
"I find him suspicious. He clearly has feelings for Hela."
Odin chuckled. "There are plenty who admire Hela across the Nine Realms. That's hardly unusual."
"To be honest," Odin added with a wry smirk, "if he weren't so short, I wouldn't mind him as a son-in-law. But alas… he's shorter than our daughter."
…
Later, Rowe returned to El's place, but the old man wasn't home.
The moment he got back, Rowe opened the Sanctuary's lottery interface, eager to see whether Odin's Blessing of Destiny truly influenced fate.
First result: [Thank you for your patronage].
"…."
Must've been a fluke.
Second draw: [Thank you for your patronage]. Third: [Thank you for your patronage].
"…"
Rowe clenched his fists, trying not to scream.
Come on, he'd just been blessed by Odin himself! Shouldn't fate be smiling upon him? Couldn't he at least get a Holy Shield fragment?
He calmed himself and kept drawing. Still, nothing valuable after more than a dozen attempts.
Rowe paused, brow furrowing.
Maybe Odin's divine power didn't influence the Sanctuary system?
If Odin wasn't trolling him, then this had to be the reason.
After all, the Sanctuary's powers came from the Holy Light itself—a cosmic-level force perhaps even equal to the Infinity Stones. It was plausible Odin's divine blessing couldn't touch it.
With a deep sigh, Rowe made a few more draws.
[Standard Space Grid], [Thank you for your patronage]…
And then—
[Experience Book: High Inquisitor Whitemane]!
Rowe's eyes lit up. He flipped the interface quickly to inspect the details.
[High Inquisitor Whitemane (BOSS)]
[Experience Level: Level 5]
It was her!
One of the most iconic female figures from World of Warcraft, Whitemane, the zealous crusader of the Scarlet Monastery.
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